Shul Bulletin

Sundays: Rabbi Yosef Bukiet will be giving the last shiur to the women about the Beis Hamikdosh in the KYY room from 10 to 11 am this Sunday, followed by a half-hour shiur by Rabbi Bart on Kuntres Ahavas Yisroel at 11:10 am, followed by 20 minutes of Tehillim to daven for the success of the troops and the safety of the Yidden in Eretz Yisroel.

Siyumim: The rebbe encouraged everyone to listen to a daily siyum from the beginning of the 9 days through tu b’av. You can participate in a siyum every night after maariv at the shul. If you have a siyum to make please contact Levi Raichik ASAP. For those who live out of town and/or are unable to make it to a siyum you can call in to listen live to our siyum. Dial (712) 432-0075 Access Code: 731783#. THE SIYUM ON MOTZEI SHABBOS WILL BE LERECH 8:45.

We don’t have to look very far into the world events swirling around us to see a connection to the Three Weeks and the Nine Days. The Rebbe explained that the best way to counteract the any non-positive effect of the Three Weeks is to increase in ahavas chinam, which means to love every Jew for no other reason than he or she is a Jew.

The Gemara tells us that the galus lasted for 70 years after the destruction of the first Beis HaMikdash compared to the second destruction, which has lasted for over 2000. The sins of the generation of the first destruction were revealed; their sins were idolatry, murder and gilui arayos. Since their sins were revealed they were able to return and rebuild after 70 years. The sins of the generation of the second destruction were concealed. The Gemara doesn’t tell us what the sins of the generation of the second destruction were (although we know it was sinas chinam, baseless hatred) and because their sins were concealed we are still in galus.

The Alter Rebbe asks why is it that the length of galus is dependent on whether a sin is revealed or concealed; what’s the connection? The Alter Rebbe explains in Likutei Torah that if an aveira is revealed, it will inevitably lead to redemption. This is because when the sin is revealed, the sinner is clear about what he has done to cause the current situation, the result of the sin, galus, and is therefore able to correct it to pave the way to the geula. Because the generation of the first destruction knew their failing they were able and went about correcting the cause of the sins, their midos. There are 7 midos and the correction took 7 times 10 years, 70 years, the length of that galus.

The galus that followed the generation of the second destruction is a longer and more protracted struggle because we do not see the reason or the cause that keeps us in our circumstances (sinas chinam). Quite the contrary, we have created excellent reasons why we are right! This only perpetuates our positions towards others (the cause of galus). Over time we have even determined our entrenched viewpoint to be a great mitzvah! Unfortunately because of this the cause remains uncorrected and we linger in the galus… The sin needs to be revealed to whom? To ourselves; once we see it in ourselves, not in someone else, then we can correct the cause. As long as the cause, the sin, is not revealed to ourselves we linger in the long and protracted galus.

The message to us today is clear and resounding, we just have to look at the enemy of the Jewish people, Hamas and the radical Palestinians. They do not care what kind of Jew you are; if you are an Ultra-Orthodox, Modern-Orthodox, Chassidic or a Kibbutznik. The only thing that matters is if you are Jewish, that’s it; just like the Nazis yemach shmam.

We have to put aside any and all of our differences once and for all, and seek each other’s welfare without conditions. We are one community; we are one people, real ahavas Yisroel period.

There is a story that my father once told publically in 770 about ahavas Yisroel. My father had an acquaintance that he knew from Otwosk Poland. After the war he moved to the Mid-West, while my father was living in Los Angeles. In the 1960’s he moved to Los Angeles. He started a business and assumed that my father would make the proper business connections for him, to get him a partner that would make the business a success. Since that wasn’t possible, when it didn’t happen the man was upset with my father for not helping him. Later on, once when my father was in New York, the Rebbe asked my father through his secretary how this person was doing. My father’s response was that he didn’t know because the man was upset with him and they hadn’t spoken. The Rebbe asked; “Where is the ahavas Yisroel?”. The man was upset with my father; my father wasn’t upset with him. Nevertheless rom that point on, whenever this man had a simcha my father showed up to wish him mazal tov even when he wasn’t invited. When my brother Yossie A”H had his ufruf in Los Angeles, my father sent someone to ask him to please please come to the simcha. The man came to the ufruf. Later on they reconciled. In the later years my father had to go with a walker. This man went through a surgery and was recovering at home. I took my father to visit him. On the way my father turned to me and said; “You know what the Rebbe told me..” I replied; “Yes, ahavas Yisroel”. He brought him a new sefer that came out with pictures from the Otwosk Yeshiva. They sat together and reminisced. This story teaches me how we need to work in ahavas Yisroel even if the other person is upset with me. Even if I am not upset with him I need to go out of my way and breakthrough the wall that separates us.

May we all, through increasing in ahavas chinam merit the geula ha’amitis v’hashleima, now.

Sundays: Rabbi Yosef Bukiet will be giving Shiurim to the women about the Beis Hamikdosh in the KYY room from 10 to 11 am for 2 more Sundays. Rabbi Bukiet’s shiur will be followed by a half-hour shiur by Rabbi Bart on Kuntres Ahavas Yisroel at 11:10 am (in memory of Mrs. Bracha Finkelstein a"h). We will end-off with 20 minutes of Tehillim to daven for the success of the troops and the safety of the Yidden in Eretz Yisroel. We will finish b'ezras Hashem at 12 pm.

Sunday: An Evening of Chizuk for women, dedicated to our Brothers and Sisters in Eretz Yisroel, on the Battlefield and Worldwide. Click here for more info.

Monday: Community Wide Atzeres Tefilah in Moshe Ganz at 8:30 pm. The program will begin with Tehillim, followed by divrei hisorerus from Rav Avrohom Ausband and will conclude with Maariv. The program will be for men and women. Click here for more info.

Siyumim: The rebbe encouraged everyone to listen to a daily siyum from the beginning of the 9 days through tu b’av. You can participate in a siyum every night after maariv at the shul. If you have a siyum to make please contact Levi Raichik ASAP. For those who live out of town and/or are unable to make it to a siyum you can call in to listen live to our siyum. Dial (712) 432-0075 Access Code: 731783#.

Unite Together as One!This is the Greatest Thing that can be done
for our Brethren in Eretz Yisroel

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week’s parsha charts the travels of the Jewish people through the desert on their way from Mitzrayim to Eretz Yisroel. The job of the Leviim was to take apart and then erect the Mishkon while everyone traveled through the desert. Everyone had his or her own place, but we all travelled together as one.

The Bnei Yisroel who were shaken when the passing of Ahron HaKohen occurred starting heading backward eight journeys. It wasn’t until the Leviim went to war against their movement that they were able to get back on track traveling toward Eretz Yisroel. The Leviim made sure that no one was left behind. All of the Bnei Yisroel escaped the desert because of their efforts, not just those who knew better.

The celebration of the Yovel-Jubilee year as well as other mitzvos only occurred during the period of our history when we were all together the first time that Eretz Yisroel was settled. Since the churbon we haven’t been able to celebrate the Yovel year. Halacha requires that Yovel can only be celebrated when Eretz Yisroel is settled in its entirety, each person in his or her place. This teaches how great the kedusha and the power of our community is and that can only achieved when we are all together as one. This unity is greater than any thing else. It’s a great thing to have many different groups, each having it’s own shteibel etc., just as every Shevet had it’s own portion. This provides many options for those that need it. In addition to the shteibel we need to come together as one, especially now with what is happening in Eretz Yisroel.

The Rebbe instituted to go out and put Tefillin on every Jewish man above Bar Mitzvah, to get everyone a letter in the Sefer Torah Haklalli along with all other Mivtzoyim, say Tehillim together and add in learning Torah and doing mitzvos for the protection of the entire people. The Rebbe made us, Lubavitcher Chassidim into Shevet Levi. Shevet Levi’s job was to put up the Mishkon wherever we went. So too Lubavitcher Chassidim have Chabad Houses, schools and shuls etc., wherever there are Jewish people. Also, just as Shevet Levi went to pull back those that had strayed, so too the Rebbe demanded from all of us and made us Shluchim to prepare every Jew and the world to reach its final destination, Yarden Yericho, which is Moshiach.

The following is a quote I received from a group chat this week from a soldier from the front in Gaza:

A letter from a soldier in Gaza: Today our hearts are pounding in fear. Who of us will die? And who will return safely? We are your messengers in fighting . We are fighting so you can live peacefully with your children. So you can stay alive. We are your protection. Will you be ours? We are going to this dangerous mission knowing some of us will not come back, but will rise to their next position in a storm to heaven, as Eliyahu the Navi did. We are going with devotion and dedication. We are asking you to be our protection with your prayers. Protect us by going above and beyond yourselves through Ruchniyus and good deeds. Pray for us. Pray that you won't see another mother burying her son. Pray that you won't see our wives as widows raise our children in tears. Pray that our children will grow up knowing who their fathers are. Pray that we will eliminate the terrorists who aim to destroy us, and that we will not injure innocent women and children. Please, we are begging you, as you are reading this, don't just go on to the next thing you are doing. Say a chapter of Tehillim. Wake up David HaMelech to ask Hashem for full Geulah and peace for the all world. Take upon yourselves another good deed. And please pass this on. I'm certain that your prayer will make a difference. Remember, we are in it together. We are on the front lines carrying the weapons and you are fighting along with us in your prayers. Each word of your prayer gives us strength, protection and success!!!!!!

This week is Shabbos Mevarchim Chodesh Menachem Av. Our minhag, which was instituted by the Previous Rebbe is to say the entire Tehillim on Shabbos Mevarchim. Therefore everyone should make an effort to come to be together as one in Shul and say Tehillim. This will surely protect the Jews in Eretz Yisroel and wherever they are. Let us not forget the responsibility the Rebbe has placed on our shoulders, to be Shevet Levi and do all that we can to reach Yarden Yericho, Moshiach Now!

The Shul would like to thank Mr. Michael Zaghi for buying the shul a new fridge. May he and his family be blessed with kol tuv seela.

Sunday: Yarchei Kallah is taking place this year on Sunday, 22 Tammuz/July 20. Click here for more information.

Sundays: Rabbi Yosef Bukiet will be giving Shiurim to the women about the Beis Hamikdosh in the KYY room from 10 to 11 am for 3 consecutive Sundays starting this Sunday, 22 Tammuz/July 20. Rabbi Bukiet’s shiur will be followed by a half-hour shiur by Rabbi Bart on Kuntres Ahavas Yisroel at 11:10 am (in memory of Mrs. Bracha Finkelstein a"h). We will end-off with 20 minutes of Tehillim to daven for the success of the troops and the safety of the Yidden in Eretz Yisroel. We will finish b'ezras Hashem at 12 pm.

Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Lesches in honor of Rabbi Levi Lesches’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

The Sufrin Family in honor of Moshe Sufrin’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem Munish Weiss in honor of Mrs. Rikki Weiss’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also in honor of the birthdays of their children Leah & Bentzi. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

In the aftermath of the fabrengen and activities for Gimmel Tammuz in Los Angeles, as I flew to the Ohel on Tuesday Gimmel Tammuz, I was thinking back on what happened in here LA. Baruch Hashem many people attended the fabrengen etc., but my heart was aching for those who, for whatever reason didn’t make it. Also, there were some who made it, but they ½ showed up, sort of like some do for a Bar Mitzvah for a few minutes, ‘too be seen’ just so he can say he was there. After all it’s, insert whatever day it is; Yud Tes Kislev, Yud Beis Tammuz etc., and I’m a Lubavitcher, so I’d better show up. Some of the fellows tell me why they aren’t putting themselves into the big events. They want a fabrengen that’s more tailored to their own group or age, with their personal friends. Otherwise they will be ‘yotzi’ by showing up for a while. They’re right, we do need fabrengens in small groups also and we need the different shteiblach that have popped up etc., it’s a good thing. Still something essential is missing with this kind of thinking.

Recently there has been a group of about 20 Yungeleit who have decided that they specifically do not want their own shteibel in Crown Heights (imagine that!). They call themselves “Occupy 770”. They have decided that this (770) is the Rebbe’s shul and this is where we should spend our time and where we should learn, daven and fabreng. We will be with our friends but we will also be with everyone.

In 1966 on the 13th of Nissan, the 100th year from the histalkus of the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek the Rebbe made a special farbrengen and spoke about mesirus nefesh. In 1843, the Russian government called upon the Tzemach Tzedek to attend a rabbinical conference to discuss possible changes in Jewish education and Jewish observances. During that conference the Tzemach Tzedek was arrested twenty two times because he spoke strongly and boldly how we must resist any compromises to Judaism or changes to chinuch al taharas haKodesh. The Russian authority asked him if what he was saying was not in essence treason against the government. The Rebbe replied with his iconic statement; “What is worse, treason against this worldly government (kingship) or treason against the Almighty’s Kingship?” The Rebbe said that he saw no purpose in eventually sitting in Gan Eden without Jews down here in this world that are able to fulfill the Torah and it’s mitzvos. After the conference he was asked by one of the great rabbonim of the time if the Rebbe had thought about what will become of his chassidim if he will go ahead with his mesirus nefesh. To this he gave two answers. First, my children will take over and secondly the unity of chassidim will keep us until Moshiach’s arrival. Today, in 2014, the second answer, the unity of chassidim is what we have.

Rabbi & Mrs. Naftoli Estulin for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Fayge Estulin’s father Reb Tzemach ben Reb Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel for all the kindness Hashem has shown their family. May Hashem continue to shower them and the entire community with kol tuv sela. Also in the zechus of the Yidden in Eretz Hakodesh. May Hashem continue to protect them mikol tzoro.

Yankee O in honor of Mr. David Milner’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Mr. & Mrs. Elozor Plotke for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Shoshana Brocha Plotke’s father Reb Yechiel ben Reb Chaim ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Coming from the days of Yud Beis and Yud Gimmel Tammuz with the difficult situation in Eretz Yisroel today reminds me of the many times the Rebbe spoke about Eretz Yisroel and how he responded differently to each issue. Whether it was the cease fire by the Suez Canal or the Camp David accords or various concessions that lead to a weakening of security which have brought us to where we are today; we look back through the Sichos and see how clearly the Rebbe could see all the way to the end and spoke on behalf of our collective welfare.

This week I was going through the JEM video “My Encounter” where Yitzchok Rabin was speaking about his visit with the Rebbe in 1972 while he was serving as Israel’s Ambassador to Washington. Rabin had been asked by President Shazar to bring the Rebbe birthday wishes on behalf of Israel. The Rebbe asked Rabin what it was like to be representing a nation that is all alone. He replied that that it wasn’t comfortable. The Rebbe then encouraged him to realize that it’s a good thing and it’s our power. We are alone because we are connected to Hashem with our emunah, and this sets us apart. The Rebbe was explaining to him that the pasuk; Am l’vadad yishkon, A nation that dwells alone, is a blessing and what keeps the Jewish nation alive. He also told him that the problems we face from the nations around us actually strengthen the Am l’vadad yishkon, our connection to Hashem.

Later, when Rabin came to sign the Oslo I Accord with Clinton and Arafat in September 1993 on the White House lawn he said; we are no longer a nation that dwells alone; it seems he did not grasp the Rebbe’s message. The Rebbe was expressing the positive, yet the government was running after the accords. The Rebbe told the government that they are receiving help from above that is causing the Arabs to not believe us and not accept our offers, and yet we continue to run after them. He didn’t realize the how far the Rebbe’s vision reaches, all the way to the end, to where we find ourselves today.

When Menachem Begin came to the US to sign the Camp David Accord the Rebbe said that it is asur al pi halacha to sign the accord. He based his statement on Shulchan Aruch Hilchos Shabbos 328, that states that even if your neighbors come to your borders just about transactions about straw and stubble you are allowed to go out even on Shabbos and make a preventive strike. Others, even Rabbonim were saying that we’ve finally reached peace. The Rebbe was saying that right now you have the Sinai which serves as a buffer zone, and because of it’s strategic importance must be annexed, not to mention it’s precious oil resources. The Rebbe screamed that it’s against the Torah, and no one, even the Rabbonim agreed. It’s recorded, no one can claim otherwise.

The Previous Rebbe mentioned that Yud Beis and Yud Gimmel Tammuz is a time for “Chizuk HaTorah and hafrbatzas haYahadus bkol makom, to strengthen the Torah and spread Judaism in every place”. It is understood that spreading Judaism in every place is connected with Yud Beis Tammuz because the imprisonment stopped the Rebbe from spreading Judaism and we celebrate the liberation by redoubling the efforts to spread Judaism. But why is strengthening the Torah mentioned before spreading Judaism? It’s already implied in spreading Judaism; learning the Torah is part of Judaism. The reason its mentioned first is because Torah teaches us what it means to be a Jew. It guides us and teaches us how to act in every situation and what needs to be accomplished. The Rebbe did not compromise. How lucky we are; ahsreinu mah tov chelkeinu! We aren’t affected by politics, we don’t bend to get funding for our Yeshivos or stop firing for temporary quiet.

What does all of this teach to each one of us in our daily lives? We need to realize that we too live under a spiritual seize from our environment. We may not realize it. The yetzer hara tells that we are too weak to demand that we maintain standards and positions about chinuch and minhagim that have been the norm until now, especially after Gimmel Tammuz. Should we compromise? No we shouldn’t, instead we should strengthen in the Torah. We should review and study more in both quantity and quality until it is clear, resolved and alive within us to uphold all of our ‘positions’ with even greater hidur than before! If we do not strengthen ourselves in the Torah and hold clear ‘borders’ than we will suffer from ‘missile attacks’ in the form of a barrage of strange thoughts from the yetzer hara which will only confuse us further and cause us to make even greater concessions. If we have fallen into this situation, we now need to realize that we have been bribed with things to make us satisfied with the status quo and we need to reverse course.

It is Hashem that protects Israel, and we are best protected when we are an; ‘Am lvadad yishkon’. The days of Yud Beis and Yud Gimmel Tammuz the days of the liberation of the Previous Rebbe, the Nasi Hador from imprisonment gives every Jew the power to redeem themselves from the exile and to break the shackles of the yetzer hara and free the neshama to serve Hashem. This is a geula protis, a personal redemption. Let us pray that the Israeli government will allow the army to do its job and complete its mission. If we continue on the path of compromise and continue to give away land and allow Hamas to get away with it’s aggression and have any presence at all in Gaza, then no one is safe. It’s one halacha in Shulchan Aruch, the Rebbe told us, he saw all the way to the end, it’s recorded. Ashreinu Mah Tov Chelkeinu. May we be victorious with the greatest battle of all, the battle to end the galus, and receive geula klalais the countenance of Moshiach now! A good Shabbos

Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Binyomin Fogelman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
Also for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shmuel Fogelman’s father Harav Yehuda Tzvi ben Reb Moshe Yakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Mr. & Mrs. Eli Goldman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

This Shabbos is the Shabbos before Yud Beis Tammuz, the redemption from prison and detention of the Previous Rebbe in 5687-1927. The Rebbe was arrested on the 15th of Sivan and was sentenced to death for building mikvehs and running underground yeshivos. On the 3rd of Tammuz his sentence was commuted by miracle from death to galus, detention in the city of Kostroma. On the 12th of Tammuz his sentence was again altered, this time he was granted full freedom. After Tishrei the Rebbe decided to leave Russia altogether because they knew that there was a possibility of another arrest.

On the 3rd of Tammuz, standing on the train platform on his way to Kostroma, the Rebbe delivered a short sicha. He started with the pasuk; “Yehi Hashem Elokeinu emanu- Hashem Elokeinu should be with us as He was with our forefathers, He should not forsake or abandon us”. The Rebbe said that Hashem should and will be with us, even though we are not on the level of mesirus nefesh of our forefathers. The nations of the world may be able to control our bodies but they cannot control our neshama. This is true in all matters especially with regard to education.

On Gimmel Tammuz in 5724-1964 the Rebbe asked in a maamar the following questions about the Previous Rebbe’s statements. How could the Previous Rebbe say that our mesirus nefesh was not as complete when his entire arrest and incarceration was mesirus nefesh? Just the event itself of standing on that train platform and speaking as he did was mesirus nefesh!? (There were KGB agents that were there at the train station monitoring every move the Rebbe made)

The Rebbe explained that mesirus nefesh has different levels.

There is a level where the person says; “I want to do mesirus nefesh”. At this level the mesirus nefesh is motivated by the person’s reasons and convictions.

At the next level the motivation for mesirus nefesh doesn’t come from a sense of conviction or obligation at all, rather the sole motivation comes from identifying as being a servant of Hashem. This is what Hashem wants. It makes no difference what mitzvah it is, he does every mitzvah with mesirus nefesh.

The Rebbe explained that because of his humility the Previous Rebbe thought that perhaps his mesirus nefesh was not on the level of his parents, the higher level of mesirus nefesh. At the end of the maamar the Rebbe said that we can all reach the highest level of mesirus nefesh, so much so that our entire being is feeling only what Hashem wants. The Previous Rebbe gave this to all the mekusharim, those that are and stay connected. Even those things that aren’t required to have mesirus nefesh according to the law, they can be, and they will be with mesirus nefesh for those who are connected, and stay connected. By the Rebbe even his prayer and request is a havtacha. Something similar to what he has, he gave to those that are connected, and those that stay connected.